Rat-trap



(No Model.)

s. H. B. HARWELL.

RAT TRAP.

Uni-Ten ra'rns .ATENT @rrrcn.

SEABORN H. B. HARXVELL, OF MORGAN COUNTY, GEORGIA.

. RAT-TRA P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 290,580, dated December 16, 1883.

Application filed July 26,1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SEABORN H. B. HAR- WELL, of the county of Morgan, and in the State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rat-Traps; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of my 7 improved trap; Fig. 2, a detail view of the pivoted and balanced platform removed, and Fig. 3 a view in perspective of a modified form of my trap.

The object of my invention is to provide an improvement in rat and mouse traps; and to this end it consists in the combination, arrangement, and construction of parts, as hereinafter described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, A designates a cylindrical vessel or receptacle forming part of the trap. Instead of being cylindrical this vessel can of course be of any other desired shape-as, for instance, a truncated cone.

In the edge of the open top of the receptacle are cut slots or deep notches B B, diametrically opposite each other, as shown. In these notches fit the ends of a metal rod, 0, which is of such length preferably that its ends are flush with the cylindrical outer surface of the vessel or receptacle. Near the inner surface of the latter, at both sides, are pins D D, passing through the rod. Pivotally hung upon this rod is the circular disk or platform E, of diameter somewhat less than that of the inte rior of the vessel, so that it can turn freely about the rod as its axis without striking the vessels sides. I prefer to pivot the disk to the rod by means of the ears or lugs F F, through openings in which said rod is passed, as shown. These lugs are formed of the con tinuations of the piece or strip of metal, G, which I use to properly weight and balance the pivoted disk, so as to keep it normally horizontal. If desired, metal strips G can be used to aid in this balancing. The perforated lugs embrace the rod 0 at points just inside of the pins D D, so that the pivoted disk is kept in place upon and prevented from moving along said rod. It is thus kept from coming into contact with the sides of the receptacle, which would interfere with its free movement.

Upon the platform or disk are twospringclamps, HH, as shown, adapted to hold firmly any bait put in them.

Through the walls of vessel A, and diametrically opposite each other, I make two small holes, I I. They are at such a height that pins K K, when inserted in them so as to project within the vessel, will come just under the edge of the disk E, so as to prevent its rocking or turning on the pivot-rod. These pins (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 as inserted in the holes) are attached to the sides of the trap by short cords K K. The manner and ob ject of their use will be described hereinafter.

The size and shape of the receptacle can be varied as desired without departure from my invention. It can also be made of any desirable material, either metal or. wood. As said receptacle is to be partially filled with water when the trap is ready for use, into which the mouse or rat is plunged, it will not be necessary to make the sides of metal, so that they cannot be gnawed through, for the animal, submerged in water, obviously will have neither time nor opportunity to successfully attack the receptacle sides with his teeth, even if such sides were made of soft wood. The disk I prefer to make of light wood, so that itwill tilt very easily when even a slight weight is put upon it.

The operation of my trap is as follows: The vessel Ais nearly filled with water. To facilitate this filling, as well as the emptying of the contents of the trap, the disk and pivot-rod are removed. The open slot or notches in which the ends of the rod rest permit such removal readily. hen the vessel has been properly filled and the disk or platform put in place, pieces of broiled meat, toasted cheese, or other bait are placed in the clamps provided therefor.

As rats and mice are very wary and cum ning, I contemplate for the first night or two inserting the locking-pins K K, so as to render the disk immovable. After they have got accustomed to coming to the trap for their food, with which it is baited each night, and to playing over the disk or platform, the trap is again set with the locking-pins removed. The platform is then free to tilt and rock, and

will very suddenly and unexpectedly deposit i ended slots or notches in the walls thereof, the Y any mouse or rat jumping thereon into the water below. As said platform is situated below the points of support from which it is hung, it will, as soon as it has turned up vertically and deposited the rat, turn back again imme diately into a horizontal position, ready to entrap the next comer. Such return to a hori zontal position is insured, also, by the weight of the metal strip hereinbefore described as attached to the bottom of the disk. It will then always be set, and as the quickness of its action in depositing the rat below will effectually prevent his enjoyment of any of the bait, no rebaiting will be necessary for a long time.

As indicated above, whenenough victims have been captured and drowned, the tilting platform can be lifted out, and the contents of the trap removed.

The truncated-cone form of vessel or receptacle can be used advantageously, as the inwardly-sloping sides would effectually prevent any climbing up and out.

Having thus fullyset forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is 1. In a rat-trap, the receptacle for water, in combination with the rod supported in opentilting platform hung from said rod, and the stop-pins in the latter, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a rat-trap, the combination of the receptacle, the pivot-rod,rthe tilting platform, and the balancing strip for the platform, turned up at its ends to form the pivotal lugs, through which the rodpasses, substantially as shown and described.

3. I11 a rat-trap, in combination with the horizontal tilting platform adapted to turn in either direction, the receptacle within which the platform is hung, provided with suitable pins and with holes through its sides adapted to receive the pins, and so situated that said pins, when inserted in the holes, will bear against the same face-of the disk, but 'uponopposite sides of the pivotal axis of the disk, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of July, 1883.

\Vitnesses:

A. S. FLORENCE, A. M. COLTON.

SEABORN H. B. .HARlVELLQ 

